Well...I think I might be a proud owner of a D1 next week.

Its a 97, top end has been recently re done (yaaaaaaay I dont have to) the paint is faded but new paint job aint too expensive..headliner is sagging a bit but we can get that done....no rust at all anywhere even the undercarriage.

Fairly low miles 100K..only 20K since top end rebuild...interior is immaculate..only thing is the passenger side power seat switch cover is missing....

Going for an actually test drive tommorow..will make sure the diff locks work and 4wd work etc.

IM PUMPED

 

After you buy it, take a close look around and under the seats. I bet you find the switch cover for the drivers power seat. Those are pretty notorious for falling off. It doesn't take much to catch on a belt loop or piece of clothing and "pop" off it comes. I put just a tiny dab of silicone on mine to keep it from coming off ...yet remain flexible enough to work as needed. That did the trick. Hopefully you'll find it. But don't look before hand, you can use that as bargaining power (if you need it).

 

make sure you take it for a long test drive and hit highway speeds. check the oil for contamination and make sure all fluids are correct color and hit fill lines. good luck

 

here's my 2 cents... find a bumpy road and see if it has the "death wobble" talked about here in different posts....it's all fixable but may give you some barganing power....
good luck !

 

No wobble of any sorts...no dash sounds..super smooth....No ticking, no hard shifts...mechanically...near perfect..only thing was...I couldnt get 4lo in....but im probably dumb because i couldnt do it on a DII 04 either...any help?

Also...I got it for $2800...

Terrafirma kit, paint job..exhaust..coming soon with pics

 

make sure youre in N and stopped if that doesnt work try it barely rolling in N. you might have to get in there and grease it up till its worked loose though.

 

Ok, what's the 'death wobble'?

 

Do your self a favor, you are too pumped up to be rational when buying. Make an appointment to have a good Rover mechanic, not a dealer, do a pre-purchase inspection or you will get stung.
As for the paint jobs, since the clear coat is burned off, that paint job isn't goingh to be soooo cheap. Also plan on doing my major service list before taking it out for your first run in the woods.

 

Not sure about there, but around here (Chattanooga) area we have plenty of decent paint shops that would paint it cheap and do a good job. I have some surface rust along the gutter on mine, plus minor little dents here and there from use over the years. The paint on my hood is really messed up, due from the heat of the engine.. quote for a full paint job and all the body work was 800 bucks, This includes shooting the door james etc cause I want to change the color of the truck (Yellow). I took my 97 300D over yesterday and had it quoted to repaint it to original color, total was 400 bucks... Hard to bet that kind of pricing.

I figure, it a old car/truck, it's going to see abuse so why would I spend a lot of money on a "show" paint job. I just want it to look nice and still fell ok to take it out and put new dents in it.

 

I've done my homework for the past 3 months on buying a disco (thats why I didnt go DII) I have a friend who works at a body shop so the paint is not going to be much for me.

As far as major service...the owner has previous maintance records and receipts..which is great. Either way, I am changing out all the fluids and spark plugs before it goes into DD duty...

I am also very well mechanically inclined (i did auto tech for 4 years plus intern for ford for 2)